Everyone loves to know the low-down on high-profile events before they even happen, and the San Francisco International Film Festival is no exception to this. So, in fulfillment of our duties as “informers,” we have decided to give the 411 on the 94101 come April 22-May 6.
The film fest is set to open with Micmacs, yet another odd cinematic adventure from the director of Delicatessen and Amelie. Despite its seemingly unfortunate storyline about a man with a bullet stuck in his head who lost his father in a land mine explosion seeking revenge against weapons manufacturers (whew, what a mouthful), the Jean-Pierre Jeunet film is said to be a rather whimsical film.
“It’s great fun as a movie, but it’s also by a director who uses all the tools of cinematic craft,” said Rachel Rosen, San Francisco Film Society director of programming. “It’s good old-fashioned entertainment – it’s basically a caper film.”
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the festival will close with a documentary on overly-plastic, famously-crude comedian Joan Rivers, titled, Joan Rivers—A Piece of Work, directed by Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg. Boy, if we had a nickel for every time that was said about Rivers, we’d surely have enough for her next procedure. Calm down, she’d probably take the charity at this point anyway. We’ll be sure to give it to her when she shows up to the Castro Theatre-premiere as planned.
Special San Fran film fest shout-outs will be given to famous actor Robert Duvall, director Walter Salles, screenwriter James Schamus, animator Don Hertzfeldt, and film critic Roger Ebert. The film fest will also premiere intimate conversations with musician, songwriter and recent Oscar winner, T Bone Burnett, editor Walter Murch (who gives the annual State of Cinema Address—come on, you have to appreciate the title), and screenwriter Callie Khouri.
The film fest will follow in the footsteps of other major festivals and showcase tongue-twisting film Happythankyoumoreplease, a low-budget film that is the directorial debut of How I Met Your Mother star Josh Radnor, as the centerpiece presentation. The film is one of those that focuses on everyday lives with a heartfelt message laced in.
Another integral part of the festival’s festivities: parties (our hearts just jumped a little). Some of the venues on the list include an opening-night bash at the historic Regency, the closing night is at 1015 Folsom, and Radnor will probably make an appearance (you know, just to “show face”) at the Manor West in SOMA. Other than the most-wanted list of buzzworthy films, there are 177 films from all over the world, five world premieres, and several North American and U.S. premieres. It’s every film buff’s wet dream; so suit up, buttercup.
Source: SF Gate
